(Video) Jannik Sinner Unveils Terracotta Statue at the Shanghai Rolex Masters

Jannik Sinner will face Daniel Altmaier in the second round of the Shanghai Masters after earning a first-round bye.

(Video) Jannik Sinner Unveils Terracotta Statue at the Shanghai Rolex Masters

Jannik Sinner was honored with a statue (via X/The Tennis World/Rolex Shanghai Masters)

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Jannik Sinner received a special honor from the Shanghai Masters organizers after arriving at the ATP 1000 event. The defending champion was honored with a terracotta statue, with the organizers commemorating his last year’s excellent triumph. He will now seek to win the title for the second time.

Sinner is yet to win a Masters 1000 tournament this season having reached the final of the Italian Open and Cincinnati Open. He entered Shanghai a day after winning the China Open in Beijing. The 24-year-old defeated Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the final, a day after beating Alex de Minaur in three sets in the semi-final.

Ahead of Sinner’s opening match at the Shanghai Masters, he was greeted with a tribute that combined sporting excellence with cultural tradition. In a video posted on X, Sinner was seen smiling looking at the statue, modeled after China’s historic Terracotta Army, which represents Sinner’s composure and determination on the court.

The former World No.1 has been a standout player this season. He has been to seven tour-level finals this season, including the four Grand Slams. However, he has only managed to win three titles in 2025. That is as a result of the four final losses against Carlos Alcaraz, including two Grand Slam championship matches.

Sinner was in awe after the Terracotta Army statue was unveiled at the Shanghai Masters. The World No.2 took his time taking pictures of the statue after standing beside it for journalists and others to take photos. He then turned to it and laughed:

It’s stronger than me.

Sinner is the favorite to win the Shanghai Masters after Alcaraz decided to withdraw from the event due to a physical issue. The Spaniard jarred his ankle during his opening match at the Tokyo Open in Japan, but managed to win the tournament after beating Taylor Fritz in the final on Tuesday (September 30).

Nonetheless, Novak Djokovic is one of the major competitors for the Shanghai title having won it four times in his career. In fact, he reached the finals of the tournament last year but lost the title to Sinner in straight sets. He will open his account against former US Open champion Marin Cilic in the second round.

Jannik Sinner gives update about the stomach problem he suffered at the China Open

Jannik Sinner suffered a stomach problem at the China Open. It was at the same tournament that the likes of Lorenzo Musetti and Jakub Mensik retired due to injuries. But during his semi-finals clash against Alex de Minaur, Sinner fought hard to beat the Australian star in three sets and went on to win the tournament.

Jannik Sinner (via X/Jannik Sinner Times)
Jannik Sinner (via X/Jannik Sinner Times)

During his press conference at the Shanghai Masters, he was asked if the stomach problem would be a major issue for him at the tournament. Sinner revealed that he feels good at the moment but looks forward to getting more information about his body before playing his opening match:

I feel good, I already said it before playing the final in Beijing, that I was ready. Here the situation is different, everything is more humid, hotter, I don’t know how I’m going to feel on the court, but at least I’ll have a day to rest. Tomorrow I’ll have more information about my body and mind, then I’ll start preparing for my first-round match, we’ll see how it goes. I’m looking forward to it, sincerely, it will be a great challenge.

Sinner will open his account against Daniel Altmaier in the second round after earning a first-round bye. He’s projected to take on either Tallon Griekspoor or Jenson Brooksby in the third round before a potential clash against Alexander Bublik, who defeated him at the Terra Wortmann Open.

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